His song “Wild West” has pushed Iceland into the Top 5 of the Eurovision 2024 betting odds.
And now Palestinian singer Bashar Murad has published the official music video.
Explaining the video, Bashar said:
“‘Wild West’ is about longing for freedom of movement and not letting oneself be confined by the physical and imaginary borders that bind us. It’s about my journey from Palestine to Iceland that started as an idea in my bedroom and became a reality thanks to the collaboration with my Icelandic family.
“I believe in using my voice and the tools that the universe has given me. Eurovision is one of the biggest platforms in the world, and I believe in the power of my voice rather than being silenced.
“Growing up, I think it would’ve meant a lot to me seeing a Palestinian going for it in the Eurovision. As a Palestinian, we’ve been deprived from platforms that showcase our culture, beauty, history, and community. I’m grateful and full of respect for Iceland that now gave me this opportunity.
It’s my dream to bring Eurovision to Reykjavik in 2025.”
Bashar Murad Official Biography
Bashar Murad is a Palestinian Pop artist, singer/songwriter, and filmmaker producing globally influenced pop music rooted in Palestinian spirit. His music challenges stereotypes and highlights social issues facing Palestinian youth that are seldom addressed in Palestine, including living under the occupation, within patriarchal settings. His music and work also address gender equality and gender diversity.
Whether he’s performing in a wedding dress or singing about gender diversity, Bashar is always taking risks and expanding critical thinking. As a Palestinian living in Jerusalem, he is constantly challenging several of the patriarchal elements of the societies that surround him. “I try to be respectful to people but also try not to,” says Bashar.
In his song “Ilkul 3am Bitjawaz” (Everyone’s Getting Married), Bashar plays on society’s normative view of marriage. He takes on the roles of priest, waiter, the groom and the bride, challenging and breaking gender roles. Bashar is also a versatile and prolific collaborator.
His single “Klefi/Samed” was a collaboration with Icelandic Industrial Punk band Hatari, who gained attention for unfurling scarves with the Palestinian flag during the results show of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest held at Tel Aviv. Bashar also performed with them on Icelandic television and performed around Iceland, Roskilde Festival, and Tallinn Music Week.
Bashar has recently been performing in Europe, while collaborating with local artists during his shows. He performed in Canada at BSMT254 in Toronto accompanied by Nour Palestina and Canadian artist Tennyson King during the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Bashar had reworked and produced an Anglo-Arabic rendition of Nina Simone’s “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” for the film “A Gaza Weekend”. This was followed by a tour in the UK performing at Outburst Queer Arts Festival in Belfast, North of Ireland, The Water Rats in London and a double bill performance with Hatari at Hurra in Reykjavik, Iceland.
His performance at Melahuset in Oslo was a pure joy for the audiences, working with Norwegian guitarist Erik Grove, while his Berlin performance at Hole 44 brought together fans old and new from across Berlin. He has just returned from the UK’s Greenbelt Festival where he performed on the Glade Stage with his frequent collaborator Icelandic percussionist, producer and artist Einar Stefansson, alongside British saxophonist Sam Bambo.
As a film director Bashar proudly produces spectacular and engaging visuals for his music, receiving critical engagement from his fans. His work has been featured in the CBC, the Globe & Mail, the BBC, Teen Vogue, and NPR.
In June 2023 Bashar unveiled the first track “Ya Lel” from his upcoming EP “Nafas” which is planned for release later this year via Levantine Music. This mesmerising song, accompanied by captivating visuals, delves into a darker world, setting the stage for the next chapter in Bashar’s artistic journey which will also be accompanied by a debut English album release with Icelandic artist Einar Stefansson.
Sigga verður að vinna!
I do not like the song that much, it’s okay and somehow forgetable. He is very charismatic performer though and for me SF performance actually elevates the song. Doubt he could win ESC, but I wish him well
Slay Queen. We love you Bashar. Intifada on the dancefloor!
“Nice” and not pathetic at all to see how so called “Eurovision fans” and “human activists and lovers” enjoy and advocate to keep and spread uprisings and hate in the world and even in a music contest you “looovvve” so much. Just like all those advocating for human rights while trying to defend groups who t@ror both Israelies and their own Pakestinian citizens. Your “Sickvision” desires perfectly feat your whole twisted view and all the hat3ful poor comments you write on Israeli articles here the past weeks. I truly feel sorry for you. Get well.
Make him a cake then! :p
This song can’t resonate with me and I can’t connect with it. It has a certain style and artistic merit but it’s a not for me.
Now, I am going to say something that may cause hatred, but I will say it amid the chaos with the changing lyrics, political messages, wars, etc.
Wouldn’t some be offended by the Wild West? Is there not a political message in this?
My point is that if you have something specific in mind, any lyrics could be interpreted in a certain way, so let’s stop all this BS with the lyrics.
What is your personal interpretation of the lyrics, Paul?
It’s about a 30 year old gay man finally achieving self acceptance. Who could be offended?
Well….
Did you watch the clip? With the watermelons and Al Aqtsa Mosque and all?
This IS political in all ways possible. Letting this song be in Eurovision (which I’m actually not against) but not letting the Israeli song which is solely talking about the pain of the whole country, is going to be a very bad and hypocritical choice.
The videoclip is very very political.
Also the pictures in black, green, red, are very political.
So if he would use those colors on stage at Eurovision its political and not allowed.
The lyrics are not very political. Its about a men who goes to the West, to Europe, for ‘ business’, not because he likes Europe, but its good for his career.
Thats not political, just opportunism and a bit disrespectful.
Not that much, more of an introverted person who likes travelling and Eurovision than going to parties! Bingo again #not
Studio version works very well as a background music, but when I tried watching it live it just couldn’t keep my attention. But unlike others, I don’t think there is anything wrong with him being Palestinian to represent Iceland.
This is ridiculous!
You may ”like” him for political reasons or because he’s gay…but his songs is awful.
He doesn’t deserve the first place. It’s so unethical for the other contestants.
This is the ES, you want?
Next time, one country will send a Turkisk Cypriot, another will send from Kosovo, Afghanistan or Syria etc.
i like his song, but i agree with you
we don’t want him to win just because he is Palestinian
Oxygen Thief!
and what do you mean by that?
I like it a lot, it’s very unique and everything just fits together, this years winner in my book
bye bye Israel, welcome Palestine through Iceland! Reykjavik 2025!!!
I like the non-English version of the song. As a gay man I unfortunately find his prominent gay lisp off-putting. That might be internalised homophobia though.
Also, having it happen in Iceland is a ridiculous idea :p
I wonder if he ever considering singing in Arabic? That would have had an even bigger impact. There is much to admire about Bashar, but I really want Sigga’s song to win.
I respect him but the song is just not good. Also, he will get a lot of sympathy votes
Yaaaaas queen!!! I love the song and the music video!!
The song is generally average but yet he will probably start favourite to win Eurovision.
Politics needs to be wiped out from this competition somehow. I don’t know how but it does. At the high level of EBU they need to stop the token narrative. This was a fun contest growing up. Now it’s a political circus
I doubt it. Europe is not united on israel vs palestine. Will he get top 10 if he represents iceland, yes but then so will Israel, or luxembourg if Israel is dq’d. And someone else will come up through the middle and take the trophy
Politics has played a role in Eurovision as long as the contest has existed, you can go back to the 1960s and find similar stories.
Yes but it didn’t make martyrs out of them. As far as my knowledge remembers no war country ever won while at war in Eurovision until now Ukraine 2022 and this story
Absolutely. In many ways it was worse under juries only. There wasn’t the same level of scrutiny and national broadcasters all did the bidding of their political masters.. Austria boycotted in 1969 because it was held in Spain under Franco’s regime. Greece boycotted 1975 because of Turkey’s participation . In 1979 Turkey was threatened with sanctions by some Arab countries if they took part in Jerusalem and in 1987 Austria’s Gary Lux ended up with 8 points after the former president Kurt Walheim’s Nazi past Was revealed. I was there as a volunteer. He had been a big pre-contest favourite… Read more »
Any time someone represents a country in an international event, it’s political. Every time someone waves a flag, it’s political. Saying that Eurovision (or any other international event) should be apolitical is denying reality.
I neither like the song nor the singer. Sorry.
At less we know which side Wiwibloggs are on.
Enligten us pumpkin!
Which side………………
Read the article.
If you don’t like, exit stage right!
The song is completely generic from beginning to end, if this is the song that will win the festival in Iceland and then the Eurovision only because of political considerations, the Eurovision contest will go to hell, it will not survive two political wins in two years.
Get a life
Why are you so mad?
People are insane here
Lmao he will win Songvakeppnin because Iceland sympathizes with Palestine
That describes every song in iceland this year… actually Bashar stands out because his is generic western not generic edm.
I’m expecting people to not agree with me, …but this is no more generic than Tattoo was.
The song is really growing on me. I found myself humming it when I’m alone sometimes.
Fast Food Music Lover has spoken
I am going to speak only about the song itself with no references to where he comes from. I like it, actually. More so than a good chunk of the other songs that have came out so far. Do I think it’s a winner level song? No, no I do not. But I’ll be honest though, I’ve yet to feel like ANY of the entries so far are worthy of that title. Maybe this is sort of an average song when stacked up against today’s popular music. But in terms of song quality I think we’ve had some better years… Read more »
Beyond all these visual layers, lyrical allusions and the singer’s context – there is still a damn catchy song.
Thats a damn catchy conclusion!!
Thank you, for bringing all these issues back down to music!!
United by M-………..kkrrgt , kkrrgt , uhu hu haja, ………………-sic, mmmm wait.
My inears arent working!!
This gives winner energy. Also, this could be the first LGBT winner since Duncan 5 years ago and Conchita 10 years ago.
Loreen, Victoria De Angelis..?
i guess it only counts to some people if it’s an amab person…oof.
Why do we need LGBT winners? Just focus on the damn music
I was at he opening of the Gay Games 1998 in the Amsterdam Arena where she performed as a special guest.
That wasnt very good.
My cat also focussed on the music and went under the sofa when I tried sharing the footage.
Dana international ( the hebruw writing hasnt come true the moderation as of yet)
Yes…only them for someone.
Marija Serifovij, Loreen and others, say Hi!
Some high production levels on the video, though. Who funded it, I wonder? It’s not easy these days, even for bigger acts.
Just a question, by the way, nothing more.
Indeed. And do the others have this opportunity on an equal level too, I wonder.
It appears Ukraine has and almost 2 years under siege in horrendous conditions!!
I wonder that as well.
Excellent productions, they WON in 2022.
When their whole show was originated from a bunker in their finals.
Amazing.
When my country was at war (ex Yugoslavia: Bosnia & Herzegovia and Croatia) the last thing on our mind was ESC, and yet, there is Ukraine, every single year – everything picco bello, the best visuals – that are expensive as hell, and other stuff – and everything was organized in the “bunker”, while Bono was giving convert at the Kyev metro.
You would literally swallow any BS they serve you in the msm.
Sorry but i had higher expectations. The song is very mid and generic. He would not have buzz around him, if he wasn’t Palestinian.
Icelanders will definitely vote for him for obvious reasons and he will win the NF which is unfair to the other contestants but it is what it is.
I really hope we don’t politicise Eurovision (yes same goes to Israel’s KAN too).
PS: I loveee his Hatari collab and I was hoping for something similar.
You’re right but I hate to break it to you…most of the songs this year are mid so far
Literally my thoughts!
The song is mid at best, wouldn’t get the hype it’s getting without the conflict. The fact that RUV is weaponizing him to win the virtue signaling race disgusts me
Untill now the Icelandic PM hasnt come out yet on international media that their ESC24 entry is making a ‘Statement’.
Hold your horses.
It’s not the song you have it’s the media hype and politics now that gets you 50% of the vote. Bushy was already picked before Iceland sang a note. It draws more media attention than a blonde pop Icelandic woman sadly. Not the talent but the narrative
What does “virtue signalling” even mean? Seems like a way to summarily dismiss any protest of any kind.
I use it when see potentially self-serving, opportunistic motives. And participating in Eurovision is no form of protest, withdrawing is. Would be. They won’t, of course.
Yeah, that’s valid. Like when a big corporate brand sponsors a Pride event. The phrase is overused, though. Like “woke”, I’m genuinely not even sure what it means anymore.
Woke comes from a earlier abbreviation for alert to racial prejudice and discrimination. It’s actually a highly positive description but has been hijacked by politicians of certain direction to become almost a form of insult.
How do you mange to capture all this in 2 lines??
Well Done!!
Thank you. I appreciate that. I’ve spent a career trying to extract information out if wordy documents.
Of
Yeah, I see. It is overused, though, to the point I’m not even sure what it means anymore. Like the w o k e word, which I’m guessing is why my first attempt at replying here went into moderation.
An example of virtue signalling is a big corporate brand sponsoring a Pride event, that kinda thing.
I don’t know what to say about this one.
I eat the cake Bro, even if we are going to wed or divorced even on an Island.
Lets put all together Ein Bißchen Frienden into the mix.
And lets not forget; A bit of Making your mind up, some Waterloo, some Love shinse a light!!
Euphoria.
Lets bake a cake!!
So in the music video we have one version of him, blonde with blue eyes, and one with brown hair and brown eyes.
The blonde one is using guns against the one with the brown hair who’s using a snowball.
Does that mean how the west has weapons against the poor people who don’t?
Cause, I remember enough weapons on October 7th against us…
Any words on the 200+ Palestinians killed by your country between January and August 2023? Source: B’tselem, Israeli human rights organisation
I ain’t the spokesperson of Israel and I tend to believe no matter what I’ll say, you won’t find it satisfying anyway, so why bother?
All I know is that this video of him is showcasing him and Palestinians as weak who fight with nothing against the guns of the west while it’s just not true…
Everyone’s got weapons in this conflict and I could have been one of the over 1000 people dead if I had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Bambie says HI pumkin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39XKV-NR6f0
Love to you and all the other Israeli Eurovision fans here.
Unbelievable this political propaganda video.
I see that he didnt win. If he would have won yesterday, i think the EBU would have cancelled him because of the politics.
It’s much better in Icelandic, the English doesn’t work
Wasnt that version in icekandic in their semie??
I recall seeing this footage online and being impressed.
In Iceland selection, all songs have to be performed in Icelandic, but finalists can choose Icelandic or English to sing in the final.
Thanks, I prefer Icelandic.
I think it’s just a rule he had to adhere to, to be dropped as soon as possible.
I don’t care what language Iceland’s ESC entries are sung in, as long as the lyrics are fully appropriate.
I am fed up trawling through all of this self-righteous grandstanding to find any comments about the song itself. I want to read what people feel about the music the staging. Yes, the lyrics too but on a musical level and if they carry a message, does it come across? I Really dont want to read a barrage of invective about a performer because of where they come from.
I like the song, Its nice and has some catchy beat in it grabbing my attention
Tho the lyrics together with the well produced video are getting me on top of my seat. Well Done.
The end segment of the vid is deffo a strong message imo.
Only its not an ESC video contest as far of yet.
So I think they will work beter on stage in their live performance at Söngvakeppnin 24.
Bonne change.
Thanks. I’d agree with all of that.
What are your own thoughts on the song, Laurence?
There had been SOME conversation about it under other articles. I personally think it is a nice message of self-acceptance after decades of living in an oppressive society. A realisation that staying is not worth it, he’s not going to let ignorance keep him down and now is the time to escape.
Nothing to do with the Israel H a m a s War.
The theme is fun and clever, but the production and melody as a whole are somewhat lacking. It’s not something I will have on constant repeat.
Lawrence
Happens all the time Jonas, no worries. I really like the song and although I enjoyed the live performance I didn’t feel he was entirely comfortable with the choreography. That said he may have been nervous with all the scrutiny he’s had. The song rattles along nicely, is melodic in contrast to a fair few entries this year and has a message that many of us can connect with.
Maybe he was somewhat distracted by the Icelandic, and will be more comfortable when he can drop that. He seemed pretty expressionless for most of the performance, as if his concentration was elsewhere.
I liked the fall/drop at the end, reminded me of Madonna’s interval in Tel Aviv. I’m trying not to read too much into it.
I mean that’s understandable. It’s a new language to him that has like, nothing in common with his native tongue. I’ve seen Icelandic people in the comments of his performance say that he has very good pronunciation though (although with an accent), so good for him, all his practice paid off. I’m sure he’ll be more comfortable with English though.
Makes sense.
My lovely Pumpkin!! (Sooorrry_)
Great comment.
Do you think their live show could uplift it?
Their finals are next saterday isnt it?
That’s why he’s the one in this article. Politic click bait
Yes you are wright on that, as long you dont dismiss the international public published message of the Israeli PM on their ‘Statement’ ESC24, as political click bait!!
I think the song is nice. It doesnt scream ESC WINNER for me tho.
The vid is great. Especially the end segment.
The blue eyed guy with a gun and the brown eye guy with a snowball!! Very interesting and also daring. This transports a clear message.
Whishing Bashar and team all the best and inspiration on Söngvakeppnin 24.
Quite the political provocation that wonder if the EBU will investigate it… probably not though as they’re full of double standards.
Yeah I agree on that, so if Israel gets a an approval so should Iceland get if they choose this act.
No double standards imo.
Well…it’s a song contest. Not a music video contest. If he planned to have that sort of imagery on stage though, that’d be a bit of a different story
I dont get the blue, brown eyes.
Is this a political message?
The icelanders with the blue eyes are bad, he is good?
Thats racist and not very respectful towards the people who received him.
He is being used by RÚV due to his ethnicity. No two ways about it. If the Oct 7 attacks didn’t happen, the fandom would of ripped this song apart. It is by no means a ESC Winner, Top 5 or even Top 10. It is a contrived country entry that we gave seen done better by the likes of Systur in 2022, Estonia 2022, and since 2014 The Netherlands on a multiple of occasions.
I do not in anyway see or understand the hype surrounding him.
I think the Wild West theme is not trying to be country music, just a metaphor for capitalism.
Or “freedom”, an open society in general.
George Orwell wrote an excellent novel in 1945 ‘Animal Farm”.
How further he could have been from the truth.
Almost 80 years on the road?
That’s why I said contrived. Trying to be something it’s not and using allegories and metaphors to illustrate a point by trying to be clever and insightful when it’s not.
Contrived?? This is back 4 years : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy84LnL_ghA
Why it should be banned if October rain is, I mean nudes literally a walking flag…
He is* literally a walking flag
Not literally
Against capitalism???
He himself literally says that he came to the West for business.
Not because he likes the European culture, people, values, archtecture etc.
Bu just for business and the money. For attention.
Used by RUV or maybe he (Bashar) is using it too?
If we knew he was using RUV we would of known it by now. That’s why I said what I said.
Oh dude…as an American, this is NOT a country song lol. Not that genre at all. I wouldn’t even call this country pop. But I think it’s a decent song independent of all that is going on.
I know, that’s why I called it derivative. A song suffering from an identity crisis. It alludes to being country, whilst being not that at all.
Reads blog….. I knew this would happen
Let’s talk about beans… anyone?
I think I prefer his live performance more than his official video, haha.
The Eurovision fandom pretends to hate “politics”, yet hates an artist because of his nationality, judging him by the politics of the day instead of by the song. If you really hate politics so much, talk about the actual song. Being reactionary and crying constantly about how much you “hate politics” isn’t focusing on the music, it’s being just as political as these entries you hate. In fact, more so, because these artists are working hard to entertain. They have real songs with real effort, yet all YOU can think about is politics. YOU are the most political person here.
I think they have difficulty hiding their unconscious bias, or what we call taste based discrimination. They probably never met a Palestinian in their lives, but as they are bombarded with right wing propoganda in social media, they cannot even humanize him.
The politics in this occasion are brought by RUV itself which is using Bashar’s identity to get attention from the media. This is unfair to Bashar himself and all other candidates. I have no issues with Bashar, but RUV should be ashamed for their behaviour.
Great song but also I want this lovely man to have every good thing in life <3
Lovely comment.
The overt racism of Eurovision fans on full display here. Bashar hasn’t done anything other than perform, yet the aggressive, ever-“vigilant” Eurofandom has descended as a hate mob. They don’t judge his song, they judge his nationality. They’re just as “political” as they accuse him of being. Being reactionary and hating on an artist because of circumstances he can’t control. Bashar doesn’t control the world, it’s not his fault the conflict is ongoing. You all disgust me. Now, about the SONG: I really enjoy the chorus and beat. The stage show for Wild West is actually quite good. I know… Read more »
I’ve been watching the Icelandic NF since 2008. with semis. Purely for the music. Because many years, Iceland buries a treasure in a semi and it’s the only performance it gets. I don’t have to pretend not to like a weak song. It’s not terrible, that’s true. The Western theme is quite clever. Hope was a good entry for me. It hit. This one not so much.
Funny how you wouldn’t say the same about Eden Golan. Hypocrite. Spare us the moral lecture.
Yep doubled standards as I thought, if the shoe was on the other foot and a Palestinian was risking been banned for singing about October 7th everyone would cry that’s Islamophobia, that’s racist… but when it’s Isreal everyone is rejoicing at the thought of them been excluded and all for it.
Not many cried Russiaphobia in 2022 when their participation was halted. Even so for Belarus.
But I dont think these are the double standards you would like to adres?
Lets go back down in the list of ESC history, we will see many more examples of double standards.
So its nothing new.
The EBU has butter on its head in trying being NOT political before, whilst they were.
Excellent comment!!
Studiocut in the video does make me love the vid and the lyrics, but like the song.
I expect he is enough of a talented artist with the backup from those legends of Hatari, transporting this well live on stage.
Hope they do great on Söngvakeppnin2024.
lets see.
Do you not think it’s also racist to be all let’s all ban Isreal and exclude them… it’s anti***********
No, you put your reading glasses on and reread what he/she said actually in their post. Its NOT aniti semitic at all.
Critcal voices NEVER should be silenced for that matter.
Lets see, listen and hear eachother beter.
Maybe some understanding will be created finally..
Facts!
This isn’t a country song actually, but I agree that when you stack it up against a lot of other stuff you tend to see in Iceland’s national final, this is one of the better ones
Also “Hope” from Estonia wasn’t really country either. Having a “western” sound doesn’t automatically mean country
Bravo, Felix, Bravo. I concur with everything you said.
Bashar’s voice is so smoooth … I hope he wins Söngvakeppnin and we can see Dabke at Malmo!
The video definitely enhances the song.
yes, for me it does.
Im not blown away by the song in the studio version. Its nice and beter than others already in the pack.
We will see how this goes in the final of Söngvakeppnin2024.
Its wonderfull how those smaller countries on size or the number of souls living in it, creating interesting selections on ESC!!
Thank you.
I used to like Iceland. How how could they fall so low…
And did anybody score how many times the P word is used in this article?
Clear bias, I must add that it was also very disgusting and unprofessional for Deban to deliberately miss out “Isreal” as participating in Semi final 2 in a recent reaction video to another participant.
the P word? Palestine isn’t a bad word. (and before you get all mad at me, Israel isn’t either).
And of course the song and music video won’t be reviewed by the EBU, because we all know why *eye roll*
Because the lyrics have nothing to do with the conflicts ongoing. You can’t disqualify someone just for where they’re born. If you think his nationality is a problem, YOU’RE the problem. Israel’s song is explicitly about the conflict. His song is just about leaving his old home, with some mild comments about hardships we’ve heard in many songs before. World of difference.
There are other things that will be reviewed though don’t worry.
last time i checked it was a song contest and not a video contest. The lyrics have nothing to do with the conflict
Why is the Tali article locked? She’s representing LUXEMBOURG. I think it would serve her better if we remember this going forward.
I’ve seen glances of a Twitter sh*tstorm where many accounts were harassing the Amsterdam organizers of Eurovision in concert for not canceling Tali. Things are getting ugly. The world has no nuance anymore.
Has she ever publicly expressed any opinion on the matter?
Not that she needs to, I’m just looking for some semblance of reason here.
Everybody apparently needs to have a stance on everything, its so annoying. And its never the right answer for them anyway. Either you have no stance and then ur branded an ignorant bigot. Or u have a stance and they wanna cancel you.
Hate. That’s the reason, if I were to guess. For these fans, she apparently personally threw all the bombs. It’s insanity.
All this backlash towards her is not because she is Israeli, but because she dedicated her victory and the song and the meanings of the lyrics to his brother who is currently in the IDF and actively in Gaza participating in everything happening there.
For context: All this backlash towards her is not because she is Israeli but because she dedicated her victory and the song and the meanings of the lyrics to his brother who is currently serving Israel and actively in Gaza participating in everything happening there.
For context: All this backlash towards her is not because she is Israeli but because she dedicated her victory and the song and the meanings of the lyrics to his brother who is currently serving in the IDF and actively in Palestine participating in everything happening there.
I’m leaving my opinion succintly: I think dedicating a song like this to someone who is participating in a thing that was even investigated by the ICJ and wasn’t disqualified as the beginnings for a G word, I would say it’s a little bit in poor taste and from a biased point of view to do so.
It was (and still is) investigated in the ICJ because South Africa asked them to, not because the ICJ just wanted to…
Same will apply if anyone asked them to check Ukraine for example for crimes.
Her brother is there, you realise she’s worried for him and wants him to come back home safely?
Or you think soldiers aren’t people and no one’s worried for them?
Oh, thanks, I didn’t know any of that.
Oh I see. Well it’s touching she supports her family but at the same time it wasn’t so smart at this volatile time to even connect him to the IDF. She should have just said to dedicate it to her brother and not explained what he is doing. That should be a private affair but now she’s going to get unfairly harassed. I would also suggest the brother get out of Israel too. It’s dangerous there!
Even its very dangerous there, I think the brother and others will stay there, to fight h@m@s and trying to protect their grandmas, sisters, friends and country. If all young men and women leave the country, a country is ruined. Its never good if too many people flee a w@r, because then only the weak and old ones remain and that could be the end for a country. Look at Ukrain, men are not even allowed to leave the counrty, otherwise it would be the end of Ukrain. I know in other w@rs, young men are the first to flee,… Read more »
I would suggest that they’re not fans of some of the stuff Israel have done of her parents fled to South America.
Many people move to different countries… It doesn’t mean anything regarding their opinions on the matter.
And for your previous comment above, it’s not as dangerous as you think it is…
Fighting in g@z@ is very dangerous, but if no one does it, its the end of israel.
I’m all for Israel not participating and I’m pro Palestine but Talli doesn’t deserve the hate based on being half Israeli. That’s racism now. Israel can vote for her if they withdraw.
So was the original Icelandic article if you go back…
sorry but the bashard murad song is awfull , i dont want a victory to ukraine 2022
Don’t worry, even if the whole world votes for him the judges will rate him so low that he has no chance to win. 🙂
Israel will participate in Eurovision 2024! And that’s for sure! They recorded several versions of the song and the Israeli team will shoot the official music video this week. The song will probably be revealed on March 10. After all the other contestants’ songs are revealed.
Israel’s fate is up to the EBU to decide. If “October Rain” is inappropriate for Malmö, I won’t have to deal with Eurojerks who keep harassing the EBU, but I’ll continue to defend Eden.
A true Queen knows how to exit stage left without losing her tiara on the stairs of the stage going down.
Well well , you arent showing that isnt it>>??
A bunch of screaming babies , for the most attention.
Please your Grace, exit stage left/
1 2 3 its not that difficult.
But be carefull on those last steps.
They could be a suprise on your downfall and we have to recollect your jewels from the ground.
Such a thing would be bad PR.
One should never exit the stage, because some people dont like you.
The best is to stand tall, stand strong, even if you finish last.
Y’all are fine with Israel bringing politics into the contest but not Iceland.
Hypocrites and double standards everywhere.
You are totally right on that.
So Iceland NF this year is a farce as he already is the declared winner. Why other participating singers are cautionning this ? They should all withdraw to protest and Iceland had to assume its an internal selection not a rigged NF.
The 4 remaining Icelandic acts might be afraid to speak their minds because of the societal pressure that has obviously formed around Iceland’s participation in Malmö and the petition signed by many big names to withdraw. They may even feel pressured to cheer for this to win instead of themselves and say it’s the right thing. Sickening, really.
If Bashar’s song had been a year earlier, before 7 Oct, would you feel the same? I wonder if he has actually tried before and if so why THIS was the year he was picked.
I mean, I think we probably know but still.
granted we don’t know the entire detailed back story and who knows if they’d even tell us the truth, but things already started so ugly with this particular entry being advertised way before everyone else, to be honest with you, I have no more goodwill to not read something nefarious into it. Let’s say everything was innocent despite things looking the complete opposite, we can still safely assume this entry most likely wouldn’t win under normal circumstances.
It still might not, you never know. Maybe Icelandic voters feel the same.
I like Vaeb, I’m rooting for them. i think they were the only once to opt for Icelandic on Saturday. If not them, Hera. And hopefully neither will get hate for going to Malmö.
I’m rooting for Væb too, and very happy they are keeping the song in Icelandic.
What I also wanna add: I’ve been to some Icelandic NFs in the past. The same delegation guy was around back then. They were pretty adamant that the performer must be Icelandic or perform together with an Icelander.
A strange u-turn, this is true.
People who want Bashar banned just because of his identity have completely lost the plot. If we ban Bashar because of that, I don’t think these exact people will mind to also ban Tali because she is Israeli. Right? Iceland has just as much the right to send Bashar as Luxembourg has to send Tali.
People who want to leverage on the calls for an Israeli ban by wanting to ban Bashar in return are just desperate to grab themselves from something. Bashar isn’t representing P@lestine. He is representing Iceland. No one said to ban Israelis from representing another country so why should we ban P@lestinians?
Tali is a citizen of Luxembourg. Bashar is not a citizen of Iceland, and if sources are correct he’s actually a citizen of Israel. The fact that RUV is promoting him as an “entry by a Palestinian artist” will come under scrutiny by EBU in case he gets selected, and as I explained below imho it’s against the rules, because it constitutes instrumentalisation. It’s not up to me or you to decide, but EBU definitely will.
That’s completely false. EBU doesn’t “scrutinize” based on citizenship. You are just racist. Plenty of artists represent countries other than their own. You might have heard of a woman named Celine Dion.
When did I say that EBU scrutinises based on citizenship? The rules are mentioning politicisation and instrumentalisation. RUV is using Bashar’s identity to achieve media attention based on current events. This could represent instrumentalisation and that should and will be scrutinised. The problem is not Bashar. The problem is RUV. They have been already sanctioned once by EBU in 2019, but this was something that happened after the performance. This time might happen before the performance and this needs to be avoided. EBU has a very high risk avoidance policy in these issues and RUV is already on the verge… Read more »
I had no clue Céline Dion competed at Eurovision. Who said you have to be a Swiss citizen to represent Switzerland. Céline is from Canada, so the EBU still accepted “Ne partez pas sans moi” either way, leading to her victory and international stardom.
I love Sahlene‘s Runaway, it’s iconic but I still found it disappointing that Estonia would not give any of their numerous great singers a chance to represent them on homeground. At least it was good. But then 2006, another Swedish singer who was not even very good. Neither was the song. Switzerland 2005. great one, I guess at least the composer was Swiss. But none of those had these political connections to them. Neither did Canadian Celine Dion.
What the (censored)? Carola is phenomenal.
I was talking about Estonia 2006 which was very bland imo.
Remember………………… All animals are equal, but………….. you know!!
The example with Tali isn’t quite correct as she used to live there.
Other than that, Iceland has any right to send whoever they want, but that’s not why people are mad.
Why ARE you mad???
Will you just reply to each of my comments?
Will you ask the same question over and over again?
Plus, this comment wasn’t even mad! WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME
The Icelandic broadcaster does have every right to send this and the people who see right through this sham do have the right to call them out on it.
And we will. EBU will become aware and I expect will take actions.
We absolutely will. This is so much worse than anything we’ve ever seen in the contest. At least Ukraine won by being themselves. Not saying this is gonna win, but compared to this, Urkaine 2022 was the most non political result ever.
A hard case for the prosecution to prove, though. The evidence is all circumstantial.
There is no case yet, but if RUV continues what they are doing they will get banned. Things that might appear simple such as Bashar using the Palestinian flag anywhere, such as promotional events, or RUV publishing articles about “being represented by a Palestinian” might be enough for sanctions against RUV. If EBU has concerns that Bashar will do things such as using the Palestinian flag or colours in any way, they will be banned outright. I also expect that EBU will advise other broadcasters to avoid mentioning anything about his Palestinian identity, to avoid creating any bias. It’s a… Read more »
You can call RUV out for instrumentalising the situation and I will be with you on that. But up to now there’s no reason to ban them. The only thing that’s political with Bashar up to now has been his personal identity. If we start banning imdividuals because of that we lay a very dark path ahead of us.
Thano I never said they should be banned already. I said that EBU should warn them to avoid using Bashar’s identity to promote themselves, because this is against the rules. They already published a few articles on the official website about it and I’m concerned that they will keep using it to get attention. This is unfair for all other candidates. I will personally send an email to the ESC reference group requesting close attention to the issue if Bashar is selected.
Fair enough. I also hope that he won’t be political (even if in this case I would potentially agree with what he had to say).
It’s not a case of agreeing or not. We need to be fair and neutral when we want to protect the contest. Any country that wants to do any kind of political statements or virtue signaling through Eurovision should be disqualified, and that should apply to all participants equally.
I think I’d prefer it if there was more guitar/base/riffing… It a bit synth/weak/plodding-along for me.
Anywho… Looking forward to the final. The semi was quite fun, with a good selection.
I see Wiwibloggs cancelled the option to comment on the article about Tali going to the London pre party.
Are you guys just going to treat anyone who has any to little connection to Israel like that?
She’s represting Luxembourg, what’s your problem?
You seriously lost it this year…
Why are you even here if you’re just going to rant endlessly and with such negativity?
My negativity isn’t but pain and disappointment. Having following Wiwibloggs for about 8 years? Nearly a decade, meeting some of them in Israel Calling etc. Seeing how they started treating Israelis hurts. I understand how you see it as an outsider to this topic, but I hope you manage to at least understand where I’m coming from. I also have a lot of good things to say, but I prefer to mention the things which are bothering me right now, and it’s ok. People like telling others to stop commenting or whatever if they’re negative, but why? Isn’t it allowed?… Read more »
My bad. I don’t mean to minimise the things which cause you disappointment and pain. I genuinely don’t see how you, personally, are being treated so bad, and by whom?
Anything against Israelis, is basically against me as well.
People all over social media and video games I play are literally hating on me and attacking me just for being Israeli, even when I’m talking about different topics.
So when people start twisting facts or mistreating Israelis fairly, like Wiwibloggs now, it doesn’t help the situation to get better and it just saddens me personally…
It ain’t helping the Palestinians and it doesn’t change anything about what Israel does… Just makes us sad.
“what an uncivilized mob you all are”
Says everything about you as a person.
Definitely not the Eurovision spirit.
Exactly. That person repeatedly asked me if I’m Israeli and Jewish, meant as an insult of course. Apparently, only Israelis can dislike this entry. Says it all.
Too many words to say you’re a pos
I’m not Israeli either. And who mentioned Israel? And who has problem with Bashar? Wtf are you talking about? We are talking about RUV using Bashar as publicity stunt and breaking the rules of fair competition. You’re the one being obsessed.
It’s also kinda absurd how in the end of the article, they’re asking for our opinions and stuff like that but then no one can comment…
Are you saying Bashar should be banned?
I’ll leave that to the EBU to decide, but we can see how he’s trying to make it political and how RUV is pushing him to do so, then maybe RUV should be banned, not Bashar.
There’s many Israel articles with comments on
Anything regarding politics, they usually leave with comments on.
Others? Nah, they don’t want that.
And what did Tali do wrong? She’s the luxembourgish act…
hey pumpkin!!
Bashar and team are busy working on their ESC24 entry for Iceland.
He is from the District G area as it appears in the media.
You folks are sending a lot of strong and condeming comments if it goes about his presence with their entry on Söngvakeppnin2024.
He is from Iceland
So whats your prob?
BIIIIIG NOOOII
BIIIIG YESSSSS
Yes, I am indeed convinced that the judges will rate it very low, I’m glad there are judges in the final. The cringe level, oh, terrible! It is interesting that he does not mention the Israeli music school called “Rimon” where he graduated from music studies.
Why should he? Bashar is clever enough to know that even name dropping Israel is career suicide.
It’s kind of gross that you’re trying to disqualify his status as a Palestinian just because he has studied in Israel. There are Palestinian cabinet members in Israel’s political scene that face abuse from their Israeli contemporaries in those same halls, getting heckled and whatnot. They might be part of Israels society in some ways, but they definitely do not get treated with the same warmth an Israeli would treat another Israeli.
Maybe the Juries at ESC24 also think the grass in the garden of Eden has grown also TOO long.
Cutting the grass nice with the music of all those institutions on the background.
Would be perfect, isnt it?
Nobody dies. We get together as a world on a Music Competition. United by Music. Everybody happy……………………..
Untill we discover the long grass in the lawn is already dead.
Toda Raba, Viel Glück, Bonne Change.
Alot of Love!!
PEACE
So average and weak song…